ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #338 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters. 

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Acceptable 

Uncomfortable 

Implore 

Miserable 

Shocked 

Correct answer:

Shocked 

Explanation:

"Aghast" means taken by surprise or shocked. To further help you, "implore" means to beg or urge; "miserable" means very sad; "acceptable" means good enough.

Example Question #701 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AGAPE

Possible Answers:

Suspicious 

Hollow

Amazed

Cancerous 

Forgiven 

Correct answer:

Amazed

Explanation:

“Agape” means astonished or amazed, so "amazed" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "agape": "forgiven" means no longer blamed for something; "cancerous" means harmful or damaging; "hollow" means empty or void; and when you are "suspicious" you are tending to believe that something or someone is wrong or doing something bad without evidence proving that this is the case.

Example Question #702 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

EXUBERANT

Possible Answers:

Morbid

Inconsiderate

Ebullient

Watery

Weighty

Correct answer:

Ebullient

Explanation:

"Exuberant" is an adjective that means"filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "energetic" or "excited." While "morbid," like "exuberant," describes an emotional state, it cannot be the correct answer because "morbid" means "characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease." "Ebullient," however, is an adjective that means "cheerful and full of energy," and because "ebullient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "exuberant," "ebullient" is the correct answer.

Example Question #703 : Synonyms

A synonym of "nonchalant" is . . .

Possible Answers:

quiet

excited

unconcerned

irresponsible

friendly

Correct answer:

unconcerned

Explanation:

"Nonchalant" is an adjective that refers to a person or manner and means "feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not worried" or "not interested." While "irresponsible" may look like a potentially correct answer choice simply because both "nonchalant" and "irresponsible" begin with negative prefixes, "irresponsible" means "not responsible" and is not similar in meaning to "nonchalant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Unconcerned," however, means "showing a lack of worry or interest, especially when this is surprising or callous." Because "unconcerned" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nonchalant," "unconcerned" is the correct answer.

Example Question #704 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DISTRAUGHT

Possible Answers:

Suspicious

Vindictive

Upset

Perplexed

Entertained

Correct answer:

Upset

Explanation:

“Distraught” means very upset, so "upset" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “entertained” means amused or enjoying what you are watching or doing; “perplexed” means confused; “suspicious” means doubtful or thinking that someone or something is not what it appears or is said to be; “vindictive” means done for the purpose of revenge or enjoying getting revenge or being cruel.

Example Question #705 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ARGUMENTATIVE

Possible Answers:

Disputatious

Reasonable

Deliberate

Decisive

Rational

Correct answer:

Disputatious

Explanation:

When someone is called "argumentative," he or she is being described as prone to having arguments. Such a person takes delight in arguing for one side of a topic against someone else. When two people disagree in this way, they are "disputatious" in character. That is, they like to dispute things. Thus, this word—"disputatious'—is the best option for a synonym. Though people who argue may be using reasoned arguments, to be "rational" or "reasonable" generally indicates that the person is "measured" and not just "arguing for the sake of arguing."

Example Question #706 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LETHARGIC

Possible Answers:

Indulgent

Idiotic

Associated

Lifeless

Foolhardy

Correct answer:

Lifeless

Explanation:

The word "lethargic" is just one of those words that are best memorized. It means, sluggish or having or showing little energy. The abstract noun for the state of being "lethargic" is "lethargy." Thus, the best option among the options given is "lifeless." Someone who is sluggish is also rather lifeless. The word "indulgent" may be confused with "indolent," which means lazy, but "indulgent" actually means, allowing someone to have pleasures (often to an excess). We "indulge" in the pleasure of chocolate when we eat a lot of it.

Example Question #707 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TIMID

Possible Answers:

Unimportant

Fearful

Hushed

Tranquil

Shy

Correct answer:

Fearful

Explanation:

When someone is "timid," he or she is fearful. Often, such a person is shy and unlikely to engage in activity in crowds; however, the essence of being timid is the fearfulness involved in it. Thus, the best option among those given is "fearful." This might seem too strong, but because it is closer to the basic meaning of the word, it is a better choice than the tempting options "shy" and "hushed."

Example Question #708 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FRENZIED

Possible Answers:

Cold

Wild

Outspoken

Enraged

Elated

Correct answer:

Wild

Explanation:

A "frenzy" is a wild situation, filled with a lot of energy, excitement, and disorder. When someone is "frenzied," he or she has uses lot of such energy and thus is rightly described as being "wild." We might say, "Because of all the work he had to do that night, Bill was in a frenzied state, quickly passing from one task to another with little attention or care." Someone who is "frenzied" does not have to be "angry," though often an angry person might become frenzied in his or her demeanor!

Example Question #709 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ASSERTIVE

Possible Answers:

Heated

Irate

Arrogant

Confident

Egocentric

Correct answer:

Confident

Explanation:

When we "assert" something, we state that it is the case, boldly and clearly. For instance, I might say, "I continued to assert the fact that I had finished the homework, even though my teacher did not believe me." The idea is that we are confident in what we assert and do not back down from asserting it. Thus, someone who has an assertive personality can be very "pushy," but he or she also can be confident. If someone is confident that he or she is right (or has a set of skills or something else), it is likely that he or she will assert what he or she believes to be truly the case. Thus, among the options given, the best one is "confident." An assertive person by no means needs to be angry ("irate"), "arrogant," or "egocentric." We tend to think of assertive people as being any one of these, but the primary meaning of the word indicates confidence, energy, and assurance.

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